Assent

An agreement to something that has been done before.

It is either express, where it is openly declared; or implied, where it is presumed by law. For instance, when a conveyance is made to a man, his assent to it is presumed, for the following reasons; cause there is a strong intendment of law, that it is for a person's benefit to take, and no man can be supposed to be unwilling to do that which is for his advantage. 2. Because it would seem incongruous and absurd, that when a conveyance is completely executed on the part of the grantor, the estate should continue in him. 3. Because it is contrary to the policy of law to permit the freehold to remain in suspense and uncertainty.

When a devise draws after it no charge or risk of loss, and is, therefore, a mere bounty, the assent of the devisee to, take it will be presumed. A dissent properly expressed would prevent the title from passing from the grantor unto the grantee. The rule requiring an express dissent, does not apply, however, when the grantee is bound to pay a consideration for the thing granted.

When an offer to do a thing has been made, it is not binding on the party making it, until the assent of the other paity has been given and such assent must be to the same subject-matter, in the same sense. When such assent is given, before the offer is withdrawn, the contract is complete.

In general, when an assignment is made to one for the benefit of creditors the assent of the assignees will be presumed.
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.